Saint Leo, Fla. (April 2, 2008) – The Saint Leo softball team (27-7) swept the No.12 Valdosta State University Blazers (32-8) in a non-conference doubleheader Wednesday evening at University Field. The Lions controlled the first game using outstanding pitching and hot bats to beat the Blazers 9-0 in six innings. The second game featured a record-breaking blast as the Lions completed the sweep 4-2.

Ashley Urbanik (Jr., Riverview, Fla.) threw a seven-innings total for the day against the Blazers scattering five hits, and striking out five in her second consecutive shutout in game one. Urbanik also helped herself out at the plate going 2-for-6 with a run scored. Tatiana Casis (Jr., Port St. Lucie, Fla.) went a combined 4-for-7 with two home runs and three RBI, including a record-setting 10th blast in the second game, surpassing the single-season home run record set by Christina VanTassel in 2006 (9). Stephanie Discepolo went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI as well. Amanda Patrick (Fr. Tampa, Fla.) went 3-for-7 with a home run and three RBI in the doubleheader. Heather Stroud (Sr., San Antonio, Fla.) also had a good evening going 2-for-3 with an RBI.

Saint Leo jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first, as Urbanik found space through the middle of the Blazers’ infield for an RBI single scoring Elysha Agen (Fr., Palm Harbor, Fla.) from third base. After a scoreless second, Urbanik pitched out of a jam, as Valdosta threatened with runners on first and third and one out. Urbanik didn’t give, as she kept the Lions in the lead by striking out Kristina Ely for the final out of the third.

After a scoring chance in the fourth, the Lions broke through in the fifth, as Saint Leo rallied with two outs to score one run when Discepolo roped a single down the leftfield line scoring Casis from second base putting the Lions up 2-0. Saint Leo busted the game wide open in the sixth inning, as the Lions scored seven runs. Agen ripped a bases clearing triple down the right field line allowing Patrick to step up to the plate and launch a towering two-run home run to rightfield scoring Agen. Two batters later, Discepolo ended the first game in dramatic fashion, as she sent a deep fly ball over the leftfield fence bringing home Urbanik, who reached on a walk. The Lions handed the Blazers their first loss in the last six games.

The Lions picked right up right where they left off, as they took an early 1-0 on a Stroud single through the right side scoring Agen from third.

With the Lions maintaining the 1-0 lead, Casis came up to bat with a runner on first base. Casis hammered her record-setting two-run home run deep into the Saint Leo night to put the Lions up 3-0. The Blazers struck back in the fourth inning on a two-run home run of their own to get to within one run. Casis didn’t stop with her 10th home run, as she came up to bat for the Lions in the fifth and crushed her 11th home run of the season to put the Lions up 4-2. The score held up as Kiki VonHolt (Sr., New Port Richey, Fla.) pitched a stellar game scattering eight hits and giving up two runs (two earned) while striking out three Blazers.

Saint Leo has lost only one time in their last 13 games. The doubleheader sweep marked the first time in Valdosta State head coach Thomas Macera's reign that the Blazers were swept.

The Lions return to SSC play Friday, April 4 in Miami Shores against the No. 2 Barry University Buccaneers. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. with a doubleheader on Saturday concluding the three-game series.